BREAKING: DSS to Arraign El-Rufai Over Alleged Cybercrime, National Security Breach

DSS is set to arraign Ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai on February 25 over alleged cybercrime and national security breach.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Department of State Services (DSS) has fixed February 25 for the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, has been assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, who scheduled the date for the defendant’s arraignment.

Three-Count Charge Filed

The DSS filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai on Monday, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

ALSO: ICPC Raids Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s Residence Amid Detention

According to the charge, the alleged offences contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

In the first count, the secret police alleged that El-Rufai, during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja on February 13, 2026, admitted that he and others unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s phone communications. The DSS said the offence is punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024.

The second count accuses the former governor of stating during the same interview that he knew and interacted with an individual who intercepted the NSA’s communications but failed to report the matter to relevant security agencies, an offence said to be punishable under Section 27(b) of the Act.

Airport Incident Claim

During the live television interview, El-Rufai alleged that he overheard Ribadu directing security operatives to detain him, linking it to what he described as an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 after returning from Cairo, Egypt.

Recent Detentions

The arraignment comes days after El-Rufai was granted administrative bail on Wednesday night following detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N432 billion fraud case.

Shortly after his release, he was reportedly taken into custody again by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The upcoming court appearance is expected to draw significant attention as legal proceedings begin.